Minimizing Homework Hassles

John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.com

Parents - Minimize Homework Hassles?

It's 6:30 at night and you just got home from a long day at work, but the day's not over yet. First, there's dinner, then homework and don't forget the chores. Your husband has to finish his proposal by 7 a.m., and you have an important presentation for the president of the company tomorrow. Add a little stress from the monthly bills and the possibility of Dad's company being downsized, and you have the average US family scenario.

Given all these pressures you still want the best for your children and are willing to sacrifice for them. You want to give them the tools they will need to succeed in school and in life. The problem is time. Your solution is getting your children to take more personal ownership of their education. Consider what private schools have done for years.

In a study of 1,050 adults in St. Louis, Missouri, ranging from 28 - 60 years of age - only thirty six people (3.6%) learned about goal setting when they were in young. The breakdown is very significant: 31 learned from private schools, 3 from their parents, and only 2 learned about goal setting in public schools.

Difference Between Public and Private Schools:

Private schools:

1. Make goal setting and educational ownership a priority.

2. Integrate these principles into the student's educational experience.

3. Students are taught that they are directly responsible for the quality of their education.

Public schools:

1. Teach goal setting as a small part of a bigger program.

2. Are under enormous pressure to complete the bigger program in a specific time.

3. Goal setting and educational ownership are not integrated into the school's curriculum.

We can't continue do the same thing over and over again and expect different results! Parents can't wait for public schools to make goal setting a priority!

Teaching your child about goal setting and educational ownership will minimize your homework hassles. It will help your son or daughter make better decisions, take more responsibility, and embrace your efforts to help them succeed. In addition, knowing how to set and achieve goals will positively impact your child's motivation, class participation, and academic achievement.

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John Bishop is the Executive Director of Accent On Success® an organization dedicated to giving parents, teachers, and other caregivers the tools they need to help children succeed in school and in life. He is the author of Goal Setting for Students®. http://www.GoalSettingForStudents.com

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